The rental of tourist apartments in Barcelona has been frozen since 2014, generating debate about the sustainability and identity of the city as a tourist destination. Ada Colau maintained the restriction and the tourist accommodation plan was declared null in 2019. The lack of regulation has generated conflicting opinions and it is necessary to find a balance between protecting the rights of residents and promoting a sustainable tourism economy.
Tourist apartment rentals in Barcelona: A city frozen in time
Since 2014, the opening of new tourist apartments in Barcelona has been frozen. This drastic change in direction was driven by then-mayor Xavier Trias, belonging to the Convergence and Union (CiU) party. Trias decided to close the faucet on new tourist rental licenses in an attempt to control the growing impact that this phenomenon was having on the city. As a result, the number of tourist apartments remained stagnant at 9,600, generating a prolonged debate about the sustainability and identity of Barcelona as a tourist destination.
With the arrival of Ada Colau as mayor in 2015, many expected significant changes in this restrictive policy. However, Colau chose to maintain the brake on the opening of new tourist accommodations and in 2017 approved a tourist accommodation plan known as PEUAT (Special Urban Planning Plan for Tourist Accommodation). This plan established a series of limitations and restrictions on tourist apartments, but it was quickly questioned and brought before the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) by different actors in the sector.
In 2019, the TSJC declared the PEUAT null, arguing that it invaded state competencies and did not respect the rights of owners of tourist apartments. This decision generated a new twist in the debate and left Barcelona without a clear framework regarding the rental of tourist apartments. Meanwhile, the figure of 9,600 tourist apartments remains the established limit, despite the increase in demand and interest from tourists.
This situation of uncertainty has generated diverse opinions in Barcelona society. On one hand, there are those who defend the need to keep the supply of tourist accommodations limited in order to preserve the quality of life of residents and avoid the decharacterization of neighborhoods. According to them, mass tourism and uncontrolled growth of tourist apartments have generated problems such as increased rental prices and the expulsion of local residents from certain areas of the city.
On the other hand, there are critical voices towards this policy and argue that the restriction imposed on tourist apartments negatively affects the city's economy. Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and many people choose to stay in tourist apartments as an accommodation option. The lack of new licenses has limited the city's capacity to accommodate these tourists and has created a shortage of supply, leading to price increases and the proliferation of illegal rentals.
In this context, it is necessary to rethink the regulation model of tourist rentals in Barcelona. It is essential to find a balance between protecting the rights of residents and promoting a sustainable tourism economy. To achieve this, it is fundamental to have a clear and consensus-based legal framework that transparently establishes the requirements for obtaining a tourist rental license and that includes effective sanctions for those who operate outside the law.
It is also important to consider the social and economic impact of tourist apartments in the city. These apartments can provide additional income for owners and a more affordable accommodation option for tourists. However, it is also necessary to manage the increase in demand appropriately and avoid saturation in certain areas of Barcelona. This implies implementing innovative solutions such as the equitable distribution of tourist accommodations in different neighborhoods of the city, promoting the professionalization of this sector, and promoting sustainable tourism.
In conclusion, the rental of tourist apartments in Barcelona has been paralyzed since 2014 when new licenses were closed off. The debate around this restrictive policy has generated conflicting opinions and has left the city without a clear regulatory framework. It is essential to find a balance between protecting the rights of residents and promoting a sustainable tourism economy to ensure a prosperous and equitable future for all stakeholders involved.